Chelsea FC effectively controlled by the British government after it targets Abramovich

UK sanctions on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich effectively puts the football club under the control of the British government.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (R) celebrates the side's Premier League title win with his players Frank Lampard and John Terry (L) back in 2005.  Picture:  Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Anyone interested in buying Chelsea Football Club can make a proposal to the British government, the UK has said, after ministers sanctioned owner Roman Abramovich and halted his planned sale of the Premier League side.

The British government, which has been under pressure to ramp up sanctions on Russian oligarchs after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, imposed a travel ban and froze Mr Abramovich's assets earlier this week.